Article 1. In General of California Water Code >> Division 12. >> Part 6. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 1.

A district may borrow money, incur indebtedness, and issue bonds or other evidences of the indebtedness, and may refund or retire any indebtedness or lien against the district or its property.

The district may issue warrants to pay its formation expenses bearing interest at 6 percent per year from date of issue until funds are available to pay the warrants.

The auditor shall draw warrants to pay demands made against the district when the demands have been approved or authorized by the board, or at least three members thereof, and by the general manager; or, in his absence or inability to act, by an officer or director therefor authorized by the board.

Any money belonging to a district may be deposited or invested and drawn out as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 53630) of Chapter 4 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code, as now or hereafter amended. References in that chapter to "treasurer" shall mean, for the purposes of a district, the auditor thereof and to "auditor" shall mean, for the purposes of a district, the secretary thereof. This section provides for a deposit and investment procedure separate from that provided in Article 3 (commencing with Section 31335).

The district, or the district on behalf of an improvement district thereof, may issue negotiable promissory notes which shall be payable from general taxes, revenues, and other available funds of the district or the improvement district, as the case may be, other than taxes levied for the payment of principal and interest on any bonded indebtedness of the district or an improvement distict therein. The notes shall bear interest at a rate not exceeding 8 percent per annum and shall mature and be payable not later than five years from the date of issue. The balance of such notes unpaid shall not at any one time exceed 2 percent of the assessed valuation of the taxable property in the district or the improvement district, as the case may be, or, if said assessed valuation is not obtainable, 2 percent of the county auditor's estimate of the assessed valuation of the taxable property in the district, or the improvement district, as evidenced by his certificate; provided, however, that a district which has been formed for less than 18 months may borrow an amount not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), or an amount not exceeding 2 percent of the assessed valuation or estimated valuation of the taxable property in the district, whichever is greater. No district shall borrow, pursuant to this section, for purposes other than flood control, in excess of one million dollars ($1,000,000); provided, however, that any district with an assessed valuation in excess of one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) may borrow, pursuant to this section, for purposes other than flood control, an amount not exceeding 1 percent of the assessed valuation of all taxable property within the district.

A district may contract with any state agency to finance any district improvement authorized by this division that is related to the provision of water for human consumption. The terms of the contract shall be consistent with this division. Notwithstanding any other provision in this division, the term of the contract may extend up to 30 years.

The board may designate the county treasurer the depositary to have the custody of all, or a portion of, the district's money.

If designated as depositary the county treasurer shall:
  (a) Receive and receipt for all of the district's money received by him and place it in the county treasury to the credit of the district.
  (b) Be responsible upon his official bond for the safekeeping and disbursing of all district money so held by him.

When the county treasurer has been designated the depositary to have custody of district money, he shall pay out that money, or any portion thereof, only upon warrants of the county auditor.

The county auditor shall draw warrants to pay demands made against the district when the demands have been approved by at least three members of the board and the general manager.

The county treasurer shall report in writing on the first day of July, October, January, and March of each year to the board with respect to each of the following:
  (a) The amount of money he then holds for the district.
  (b) The amount of receipts since his last report.
  (c) The amount paid out since his last report. The report shall be verified and filed with the secretary.

The board of supervisors of the county shall determine the charge to be made against the district for any services of either or both of:
  (a) The county treasurer as custodian of the district's money.
  (b) The county auditor in drawing warrants to pay demands made and approved against the district.